The Basics: PrEP, PEP & TasP

More About PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis):

  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention strategy where an individual who does not have HIV takes a daily pill to stay HIV negative.
  • PrEP works inside your body’s immune cells by preventing HIV from multiplying.
  • PrEP is taken before exposure to HIV. When taken daily as prescribed, PrEP is more than 90% effective in preventing HIV.
  • It is safe and generally well tolerated.
  • PrEP does not prevent pregnancy or other sexually transmitted infections.
  • PrEP is only available by prescription from a health care provider.
  • Most private health insurance plans, as well as Medicaid, cover PrEP.
  • Most importantly, PrEP works for men. It works for women.
  • PrEP works for people of transexperience and people who are gender non-conforming.
  • PrEP works for folks who identify as gay, straight, queer. It works for youth. PrEP works for all people.
  • If your medical provider is confused about PrEP or doesn’t know about it, you can share this line for them to learn more: CCC PrEPLine.
  • PEP is taking medications daily for 28 days​ after a known/suspected exposure to HIV.
  • PEP works when taken as prescribed.
  • PEP must be started as soon as possible after an exposure but within 72 hours​.
  • PEP must be prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. You can also go to an ER to access PEP.
  • You may have to tell your provider about PEP.
  • Insurance, Medicaid, and patient assistance programs can help cover costs.
  • If your medical provider is confused about PEP or doesn’t know about it, you can share this link for them to learn more: CCC PEPLine

More About TaSP (Treatment as Prevention):

  • When a person is living with HIV, it is recommended that they take daily HIV medication called anti-retroviral therapy or ART control their HIV and to stay healthy.
  • ART reduces the amount of HIV in the body (viral load) to a very low level, which keeps the immune system working and prevents illness.
  • HIV medicine can even make the viral load so low that a test can’t detect it. This is called an undetectable viral load.
  • If a person living with HIV achieves and maintains an undetectable viral load, there is effectively no risk that they will transmit the virus to a sex partner.

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